Koma Hills Journey: From Remote Nigeria to London's Heart – A Culinary Tribute to Indigenous Resilience

In 2019, during a humanitarian journey to the remote rural area of Koma Hills, Nigeria, with the Wellwater charity organization, I immersed myself in a completely different reality. Four hours away from the nearest city, Yola, I found a place without water or electricity infrastructure, where people lived in humble mud houses with thatched roofs and slept on the ground.

The experience was staggering, an overwhelming contrast to life in Western cities like London. The monthly salary of people in Koma ranged between £10 and £20. However, despite scarce resources, they were incredibly happy indigenous people, willing to share even what they didn't have.

Back in London, almost at the end of my architecture studies, I decided to take a radical turn in my life. My heart leaned towards creating a business that could contribute to the well-being of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, children, and orphans in Koma. This is how the idea of opening the restaurant in 2022 was born.

It was then that I understood that, beyond borders, indigenous people share a deep connection. They work the land diligently to provide us with primary products, away from technology, in a primal and natural effort.

The Koma restaurant stands as a tribute to these hardworking individuals who cultivate products like hominy, potatoes, rice, quinoa, and corn. We aim to be the voice of those who don't have one, highlighting their diverse and beautiful gastronomy and culture. In Ecuador, where the indigenous population is predominant, we have witnessed the evolution of their cuisine, always anchored in essential ingredients like potatoes, rice, and corn. Additionally, they use various herbs that give their food a unique flavor.

Koma aspires to share the culinary and cultural richness of these indigenous communities, demonstrating that they have much to offer to the world.